Soundtrack IssuesIn the first DVD release of Sixteen Candles, several of the songs from the original soundtrack were missing due to licensing rights. For anyone looking for a version of the movie with the original soundtrack, get the "High School Reunion Collection" (released in 2003). This is the version I own and it has all of the original songs in it. I believe the "Flashback Edition" (released in 2008) also has the original songs, but I cannot verify that. The original release (released in 1998) has no special heading/title and is the version with several missing songs.

MPAA Rating ControversyAs far as the "PG" rating, do not buy this movie thinking you are going to enjoy introducing your young kids to a great 80's throwback. Prior to buying this movie, I had only seen it on TV. I assumed that the edited TV version was similar to the unedited movie because of the "PG" rating. As it turns out, Sixteen Candles came out in May, 1984, 2 months before the "PG-13" rating was implemented. So at the time, movies were either rated "G", "PG", or "R". Sixteen Candles was originally going to be rated "R", but prior to release, just enough F-bombs were edited out to make the "PG" cut and reach the targeted teenage audience. This is NOT equivelant to a modern day "PG" film. There are still at least 2 F-bombs in the movie as well as several more S-words, A-words, slanders to sexual orientation, and other explicit language. There are also underage drinking, sexual innuendo, and a shower scene with blatant up close nudity.

SummaryIn short, this is a great classic 80s movie worth owning with the understanding that it should be considered a "PG-13" movie that just missed being a rated "R" movie, as would have been the case if it were released just a few months later than it was. For purists, get the "High School Reunion Collection" to experience the movie with the original soundtrack as it was intended.

Sixteen Candles (High School Reunion Collection)B00008438TMolly RingwaldUniversal StudiosSixteen Candles (High School Reunion Collection)Movies & TV
Clarification on soundtrack and PG rating controversies.
Soundtrack IssuesIn the first DVD release of Sixteen Candles, several of the songs from the original soundtrack were missing due to licensing rights. For anyone looking for a version of the movie with the original soundtrack, get the "High School Reunion Collection" (released in 2003). This is the version I own and it has all of the original songs in it. I believe the "Flashback Edition" (released in 2008) also has the original songs, but I cannot verify that. The original release (released in 1998) has no special heading/title and is the version with several missing songs.

MPAA Rating ControversyAs far as the "PG" rating, do not buy this movie thinking you are going to enjoy introducing your young kids to a great 80's throwback. Prior to buying this movie, I had only seen it on TV. I assumed that the edited TV version was similar to the unedited movie because of the "PG" rating. As it turns out, Sixteen Candles came out in May, 1984, 2 months before the "PG-13" rating was implemented. So at the time, movies were either rated "G", "PG", or "R". Sixteen Candles was originally going to be rated "R", but prior to release, just enough F-bombs were edited out to make the "PG" cut and reach the targeted teenage audience. This is NOT equivelant to a modern day "PG" film. There are still at least 2 F-bombs in the movie as well as several more S-words, A-words, slanders to sexual orientation, and other explicit language. There are also underage drinking, sexual innuendo, and a shower scene with blatant up close nudity.

SummaryIn short, this is a great classic 80s movie worth owning with the understanding that it should be considered a "PG-13" movie that just missed being a rated "R" movie, as would have been the case if it were released just a few months later than it was. For purists, get the "High School Reunion Collection" to experience the movie with the original soundtrack as it was intended.
RHJanuary 20, 2011

Overall: 5

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Comments

THANK YOU for clearing up the soundtrack question! There seems to be very old posts (and a few new ones) applied to each version of this DVD, that all say the music is different from the original.I'm taking your word for it that the HIGH SCHOOL REUNION edition has the original music from the theatrical release, as that is what I want.Thanks again for trying to minimize the confusion. I hope everyone sees your comment, and not the old 1999 one that comes up. :)

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Posted on
Dec 10, 2012 12:00:56 AM PST

[Deleted by the author on Sep 2, 2014 9:34:44 AM PDT]

In reply to an earlier post on
Dec 11, 2012 4:49:42 AM PST
Last edited by the author on Apr 4, 2013 3:58:40 AM PDT

The song that plays at the beginning of the dance scene is titled "Filene" by Ira Newborn, who composed the instrumental score for Sixteen Candles. It was purposely made to sound like "Our House", which was unable to be used for unspecified licensing reasons.

As far as I can find, "Filene" is the song that has played in that scene in all versions of the movie and the song "Our House" was never actually used, although I do not have a copy of the original theatrical release to personally verify this.

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